Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid

γ-hydroxybutyric acid
Clinical data
Other names
  • γ-hydroxybutyric acid
  • γ-hydroxybutyrate
  • GHB
  • fishies[1]
Routes of
administration
By mouth, intravenous
Drug classDepressant,
Sedative, Psycholeptic,
Hypnotic,
GABA analogue
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability25% (oral)
Metabolism95%, mainly liver, also in blood and tissues
Onset of actionWithin 5–15 minutes[5]
Elimination half-life30–60 minutes
Excretion5%, kidney
Identifiers
  • 4-hydroxybutanoic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.218.519 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC4H8O3
Molar mass104.105 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=C(O)CCCO
  • InChI=1S/C4H8O3/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7/h5H,1-3H2,(H,6,7) checkY
  • Key:SJZRECIVHVDYJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (or γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter and a depressant drug. It is a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. It acts on the GHB receptor and is a weak agonist at the GABAB receptor. GHB has been used in the medical setting as a general anesthetic and as treatment for cataplexy, narcolepsy, and alcoholism.[6][7] The substance is also used illicitly for various reasons, including as a performance-enhancing drug, date rape drug, and as a recreational drug.[8]

It is commonly used in the form of a salt, such as sodium γ-hydroxybutyrate (NaGHB, sodium oxybate, or Xyrem) or potassium γ-hydroxybutyrate (KGHB, potassium oxybate). GHB is also produced as a result of fermentation, and is found in small quantities in some beers and wines, beef, and small citrus fruits.[9]

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is a disease that causes GHB to accumulate in the blood.

  1. ^ "Pingers, pingas, pingaz: how drug slang affects the way we use and understand drugs". The Conversation. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  2. ^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "What is GHB?" (PDF). Dea.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference DEA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Riviello RJ (2010). Manual of forensic emergency medicine : a guide for clinicians. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. p. 42. ISBN 978-0763744625.
  6. ^ "Sodium Oxybate: MedlinePlus Drug Information". Nlm.nih.gov. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  7. ^ Benzer TI, Cameron S (8 January 2007). VanDeVoort JT, Benitez JG (eds.). "Toxicity, Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate". eMedicine.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference dea-daterape was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Weil A, Winifred R (1993). "Depressants". From Chocolate to Morphine (2nd ed.). Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-395-66079-9.